This investigation addresses the critical challenge of devising robust and sustainable energy infrastructures by integrating renewable energy sources in Makkovik, Newfoundland, and Labrador. A hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) comprising wind turbines, photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, battery storage, and backup diesel generators was evaluated for its viability and efficiency. With the help of the HOMER Pro software, extensive modeling and optimization were conducted, aimed at reducing dependency on fossil fuels, cutting carbon emissions, and enhancing economic benefits via decreased operational costs. The results indicated that the energy demands of Makkovik could predominantly be met by the proposed system, utilizing renewable resources. Significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions were observed, alongside improved cost-efficiency throughout the system's projected lifespan. Such outcomes demonstrate the system’s capability to provide an environmentally friendly and technically viable solution, marking a substantial step towards energy resilience and sustainability for isolated communities. The integration of diverse renewable energy sources underlines the potential for substantial emission reductions and operational cost savings, highlighting the importance of innovative energy solutions in enhancing the sustainability and resilience of remote areas. This study contributes vital insights into optimizing energy systems for economic and environmental benefits, advancing the discourse on renewable energy utilization in isolated regions.

This study focuses on enhancing energy resilience in Repulse Bay, a remote community in Nunavut, facing significant power challenges due to the reliance on aging diesel generators. To address these issues, this research explores the development of sustainable hybrid energy systems using HOMER Pro. The optimization results identify a configuration integrating wind turbines and solar panels as the optimal techno-economic solution. The expected outcomes include a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, increased reliability of energy supply, and significant economic benefits. The proposed hybrid energy system achieves a net present cost of $20.66 million while significantly increasing the renewable energy fraction to 75%. This system drastically reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 60%, aligning with Canada’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Additionally, the implementation of this system is projected to create 149 jobs, thus supporting local economic growth. The findings highlight the potential for similar Arctic communities to transition to renewable energy, contributing to global renewable energy efforts. This study not only demonstrates the viability of hybrid energy systems in reducing environmental impact and operational costs but also underscores their broader implications for sustainable development in other remote Arctic regions and beyond. By adopting such systems, Arctic communities can significantly enhance their energy resilience, reduce their carbon footprint, and stimulate economic growth, thereby aligning local initiatives with global sustainability goals.

In light of the intricate interconnection of current global challenges, energy security concerns, and global warming, the strategic pursuit of renewable hydrogen has emerged as a beacon of promise. Consequently, Canada, in alignment with its global environmental commitments and supported by partnerships with entities such as the European Union, is actively working to harness its significant potential in sustainable hydrogen production and distribution. This study undertakes a systematic review and bibliometric analysis of 55 scientific papers focused on hydrogen production and distribution in Canada, published up to September 2023. Firstly, a comprehensive synthesis of these papers is provided across four key dimensions: production, distribution, optimization, and sustainability. Secondly, critical insights into the evolution of hydrogen research and the collaborations shaping the field are unveiled through bibliometric analysis, employing Bibliometrix, an R-package designed for comprehensive science mapping and bibliometric analysis. The findings are intended to offer valuable insights to academic, public, and business communities, enabling them to better utilize available resources, enhance teamwork, and contribute to a more sustainable global energy landscape.

The optimization of hybrid energy systems for sustainable development in remote Arctic communities is crucial to addressing the unique challenges posed by harsh climates, high energy costs, and the environmental impact of traditional energy sources. This study focuses on Arviat, a community in Nunavut, Canada, and utilizes HOMER Pro software to conduct a comprehensive analysis of combined energy solutions. The economic feasibility, environmental impact, and social benefits of integrating renewable energy sources (RES) with existing diesel systems are evaluated. The findings indicate that, while the initial capital investment required for implementing a hybrid microgrid is significantly higher than that for conventional diesel-only systems, the long-term advantages are substantial. These advantages include increased energy resilience, reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, lower operational and maintenance costs, and the potential for local job creation. Furthermore, the study highlights that hybrid systems, by reducing dependency on fossil fuels, can provide a more reliable energy supply in regions where logistics for fuel delivery are often hindered by extreme weather conditions. The optimization of hybrid energy systems not only aligns with Canada's net-zero emissions targets but also contributes to the economic and social sustainability of remote communities (RCs) by fostering local energy independence and resilience. This research underscores the transformative potential of adopting hybrid microgrids in isolated Arctic regions, advocating for policies and investments that prioritize sustainable and socially responsible energy strategies in line with national and international environmental goals.

Environmental concerns and energy security have led governments to establish legislations to convertConventional Petroleum Supply Chain (CPSC) to Sustainable Petroleum Supply Chain (SPSC). The United States(US), one of the biggest oil consumers in the world, has created regulations to manage ethanol production and con-sumption for the last half century. Though these regulations have created new opportunities, they have also added newburdens to the obligated parties. It is thus key for the government, the obligated parties, and related businesses to studythe impact of the policies on the SPSC. We develop a two-stage stochastic programming model, General Model (GM),which incorporates Renewable Fuel Standard 2 (RFS2), Tax Credits, Tariffs, and Blend Wall (BW) to study the policyimpact on the SPSC using cellulosic ethanol. The model, as any other general model available in the literature, makesit highly impractical to study the policy impact due to the model’s computational complexity. We use the GM to derivea Lean Model (LM) to study the impact by running computational experiments more efficiently and consequently byarriving at robust managerial insights much faster. We present a case study of the policy impact on the SPSC in theState of Nebraska using the LM in the accompanying part II (Ghahremanlou and Kubiak 2020).